Posts Tagged ‘God’

I was in church listening to the sermon a the topic was power in the name of Jesus. Now in truth, I think I normally think of the topic as a prideful cliché. Almost like something I would hear on a bad movie. Such as, “I expel you, you satan in the name of Jezzzus”!

The comedy and secularism in our society has really made a mockery of the faith and the power of my Saviors name. And he has many. For this post I will just focus on Jesus.

I would say though that it is partly my fault. I had to stop and think, ” When was the last time I mentioned to anyone the name of Jesus and the power of faith in his name”?

As an example, in Acts 3, the text speaks of Peter and John healing the crippled beggar in the name of Jesus Christ.

When jailed and brought to the high priest and authorities, Peter and John again proclaimed, ” In the name of Jesus Christ”!, when asked by what power or name did you provide this healing.

Now I know there are many more examples and there is a little more detail to the story. I would urge you to read for yourself because I am no Pastor or theologian. But I say to you and myself, say his name!

John Chis ham does not preach a 1/2 bad sermon. He really should listen to it a few times.

John is your typical “Fire and Brimstone” type preacher in a sense. His intensity is pretty off the hook. If emergents spread their views with this much vigor, there might not be as much hurt in this world. Maybe a few more kids would be alive. But lets move on, Shall we?

His preaching topic is that Christians do not have to become Jews to become Christians. They have no need to follow the old Jewish laws, one being circumcision, to follow Christ. He makes reference to the Pharisees who demanded the old laws be followed as well as the modifications they came up with. All in the name of doing more pleasing works for God.

The problem is, neither John or Paul could make up their mind. Because in different conversations, both Paul and John Chis ham continue to follow and preach the old law. At the same time preaching the new.

I don’t think you can have it both ways. But somehow John and Paul think we can.

So John, listen to your sermon. Be blessed. Who knows, your heart might be in the right place. It could happen!

Anyone like this old song. “Like A Prayer” by Madonna Catchy little number? I think it’s more about boobs than God. With so many things we do, I do not think our Lord was pleased.

Papa really , really did need to preach a lil more! Ha~ Could not help it.

Another one I found in the back of the grey matter. “Pray” MC Hammer Much better and Yes, I did like that on back in the day. Well, actually, I still do!

But what happens when we ask someone to pray or when we offer prayer. In truth, I say quite a few of us shame God. Dilute prayer to something petty, un respected, weak even. Lastly, displeasing and disrespectful to God.

Now before you pass me off as the holier than thou type, please know I am guilty of it myself. And since I at least think I write about things identifiable to me, here we are.

So here’s the rub. My opinion is twofold.

We sometimes offer prayer as a cop out. Because it is easier and takes no money out of the wallet. It makes us feel good and we can be relatively certain that no one will call us on it. I mean , few will question the sincerity of the person offering prayer and very few would want to question the power of God once prayed upon.

We rarely pray for all those requesting or in need anyway. I don’t carry a notebook and I can’t tell you how many times I have asked about I phone aps for prayer lists. ( OK , well, I think it was 3 times. I got no responses. ) Does anyone really remember all that stuff? Am I the only bad person here? I pray not ( just joshing you )

So I think we are doing God a huge disservice. By offering a prayer as a shield to keep your hands clean or wallet fat is an offence to God and the needy. People need help. Arms and legs. Shoulders to cry on. Food for their kids.

Not lazy prayers for God to fix things we can handle. We pray for illness to leave but, do we check in on them. Ask how they are doing? Visit? Did you even remember to pray?

My final point is this. Get dirty. Get honest. Get Godly. And when it comes to prayer, Get in or shut up.

Folks, I need your help. I want to be a blogger. That’s the first thing. I’m not really sure why I want to be a blogger. I think it’s because I get a lot of information from blogs and tend to look up to those that blog well.

I have read that in order to have a successful blog, it must stay on topic, be timely , and interesting. Problem is, I’m truly not that interesting. But, I would like to be, “interesting”.

So I read a glimpse of a person that attended a different church per week for a year. I would like to attend a different denomination per week ” or so ” to get a real life education on what makes all these groups click. With interviews, pictures, and brief back round study.

My thought is it would help me grasp an understanding of denominations in real time. What makes them tick. Makes them unique. Or alike.

So give me some suggestions. What would you like to see happen? Would it interest you? What would you like to know? I would like it to be somewhat interactive. So , help me out!